The Impact of Writing on Memory and Knowledge

This chapter explores the philosophical concerns surrounding the invention of writing as discussed in Plato's Phaedrus, highlighting how it may lead to forgetfulness and a decline in true knowledge. It argues that writing can undermine memory and interpersonal communication, while contrasting the richness of oral traditions in knowledge retention. Additionally, it reviews the implications of writing on cognition and reality, suggesting a shift in the cerebral engagement with the world due to alphabetic literacy.